5 Tips to Avoid Long Commutes

Are you in a city with horrible commute times? There are ways to avoid long commutes, either by shortening them or eliminating commuting altogether. Save

Commuters who spend what seems like endless hours sitting in traffic would most likely love to avoid long commutes and will not be surprised with the latest data from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute Urban Mobility Report. But there are ways to avoid long commutes. Read on to learn more.

Which cities are worst for commuting?

Today’s traffic-snarled roads cost Americans approximately $121 billion in time and fuel annually. The most congested cities are, of course, some of the most densely populated metropolises with the Washington, DC area at the top of the list, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Boston rounding out the top five worst driving markets.

Lengthy commutes drain worker productivity and deteriorate a worker’s quality of life, as that time could be better spent working or with family and friends. Who in this position wouldn’t love to avoid long commutes? Along with the personal and financial tolls, the negative impact on the environment cannot be ignored. The study points out that traffic congestion resulted in an additional 56 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Taking public transportation is certainly one solution for some workers, but it’s not the only solution to avoid long commutes and to provide relief to the nation’s choked roadways. The predictions are traffic congestion will further worsen given the current infrastructure, forcing workers to factor even more time into their commutes to manage unpredictable and extended traffic problems.

Technology Makes Short Commutes Possible

Mobile technology has allowed workers to access information and communicate with colleagues and customers from anywhere in the world. In today’s mobile world, is it really necessary to go into the office each day?

Connecticut resident Vince Sottosanti started his own marketing firm a couple of years ago and wanted a short commute to work since he quickly came to the realization working from home full-time wasn’t going to be the most productive arrangement. So within a short distance from his house, he decided to set up his office in downtown Stamford, CT, using Regus. He decided to use Regus because of the professionalism of the space, along with the very short commute to work he would now benefit from.

Five Tips to Avoid Long Commutes

With any improvements in infrastructure years away, here are some quick and easy options to ameliorate the commute for today’s weary workers:

Ask for flexibility: More concerned with output and results than face time, today’s managers are more comfortable supervising a remote workforce. Giving workers more autonomy and flexibility over when and where they work is one step towards alleviated traffic woes for some workers. And if your company won’t allow it, find a flexible job.

Provide an alternative location: Environmentally conscious companies are offering alternate work locations for their employees. Shared office providers offer up a professional environment stacked with all the services an individual would need. Offices, conference rooms, drop-in business lounges, and a support staff are available on-demand.

Try to travel during off-peak hours:When you hit the road can improve your commute. Business centers are in nearly every market in the country. The setting is conducive to work and allows you to catch up on phone calls and emails, keeping you productive instead of sitting in traffic. Or work a flexible schedule and avoid rush hour traffic.

Use technology: Instead of traveling a long distance for a client meeting, arrange a virtual meeting using Skype, video conferencing, or the old-fashioned conference call. If you are using public transportation, many markets offer apps for smartphones that allow you to track updates and delays, which allows you to plan your commute better.

Join a carpool: Cities across the country have HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes, which are restricted carpools lanes designated for cars with multiple passengers. The availability of these lanes increases occupancy in cars, while decreasing the amount of vehicles on the road.

Readers, how do you avoid long commutes? Share your tips in the comments below!

This post is from Grant Greenberg, PR & Corporate Communications Manager, North America at Regus.